If I Were Balloon Boy's Mom...

I’d be saying a prayer of thanksgiving tonight, turning off the television, hugging my sons tight, and likely pondering a little lecture that I might give at some point in the future when things calm down. I’d stear clear of Larry King, Twitter, YouTube and other spots where my kid’s precocious nature might be exploited.

About Author

Lisa M. Hendey is the founder and editor of CatholicMom.com and the bestselling author of the Chime Travelers children's fiction series, The Grace of Yes, The Handbook for Catholic Moms and A Book of Saints for Catholic Moms. As a board member and frequent host on KNXT Catholic Television, Lisa has produced and hosted multiple programs and has appeared on EWTN and CatholicTV. Hendey hosted “Catholic Moments” on Radio Maria and is the technology contributor for EWTN’s SonRise Morning Show. Lisa's articles have appeared in Catholic Digest, National Catholic Register, and Our Sunday Visitor. Hendey travels internationally giving workshops on faith, family, and Catholic technology and communications topics. She was selected as an Elizabeth Egan Journalism Fellow, attended the Vatican Bloggers Meeting, the “Bishops and Bloggers” meeting and has written internationally on the work of Catholic Relief Services and Unbound. Hendey lives with her family in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Visit Lisa at www.LisaHendey.com for information on her speaking schedule or to invite her to visit your group, parish or organization.

3 Comments

I watched this live today on some of the 24 hr. news networks. Everyone first thought that he had actually flown away with the balloon; thankfully, it looks like he just set it off and then got scared about being in trouble for it.

Even more bizarre, in one of the interviews with the family, the kid said something about how it was all done for some “show”. I will be following this story in the next couple days.

Mostly, I was deeply saddened by the very real possibility that the millions of Americans and others around the world were going to watch a most tragic event in the life of a family. Even recognizing that there may be a splendid ending, we had no business whatsoever in the private, agonizing hours of that family’s life. Even knowing now that this may have all been at worst a fabrication and at best a horrifying false alarm, I’m ashamed we’ve come to this. Yes, I watched some too. Where is our respect for the dignity of the human person and the right to deal with one’s pain in the safety and solace of one’s private life?

Cecilia, this isn’t new. I remember back in 1987, on my way home from grad school, hearing a news bulletin during an airplane flight about a child who had been stuck down a well for a few days and how she was rescued. Again, media was all over a very possibly tragic family situation. 22 years later, the media is a little more “instant” and saturated, but really not any different. Once you bring IN the media, good luck keeping them out.
I’ll add that this situation also shows that “reality TV” is not good for children–not in any way. I really feel bad for these kids who are on Wife Swap and other shows.